A YOUNG man was found guilty of recklessly endangering the lives of a family-of-five when he carried out a petrol bomb attack at their home.

Luke Wenton, 20, was convicted of smashing a window at the Litherland home before throwing in a filled petrol can with a lighted paper wick.

The home-made bomb failed to ignite and the couple and their children escaped unharmed.

Wenton, of Carr Croft, Litherland, was originally charged with five charges of criminal damage with intent to endanger life on June 21.

After nearly seven hours deliberating jurors found him not guilty of those five charges, but convicted him by an 11-1 majority of the five alternative, lesser counts of criminal damage being reckless to whether life was endangered.

Judge Charles James adjourned sentencing until January 8, 2010, for reports.